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Biosimilars/General

Insulin 1 V13C03

Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi slash prices of insulin in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 23/03/2023

In March 2023, major insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly (Lilly), Novo Nordisk and Sanofi announced price reductions of 70%, 75% and 78% respectively, for their most commonly prescribed insulins in the US, starting from first quarter of 2023 for Lilly and from 1 January 2024 for Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. The three companies control over 90% of the global insulin market. 

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American College of Rheumatology position statement on biosimilars updated

Biosimilars/General | Posted 16/03/2023

In late 2022, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) issued a position statement on biosimilars [1] in which they emphasized their strong belief that safe and effective treatments should be available to patients at the lowest possible cost. This is an update of previous position statements [2].

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Biosimilars approved in Canada

Biosimilars/General | Posted 31/01/2014

Last update: 17 February 2023

In Canada, the regulatory body for the approval of biologicals is the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate (BGTD) of the Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) of Health Canada.

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US PBMs add multiple Humira biosimilars to formularies

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/02/2023

In the US it has been announced that several pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will be adding multiple biosimilar versions of AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) to their formularies in 2023.

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Canada’s Ontario introduces biosimilars switching policy

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/01/2023

The Canadian province of Ontario is the latest to introduce a biosimilars switching policy. Under the terms of the policy, Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) recipients who are on an originator biological will be required to transition to a Health Canada approved biosimilar version of the drug.

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Key facts of biosimilars approval regulation in Brazil

Biosimilars/General | Posted 18/11/2022

This article provides a brief overview of the important aspects and an update on the regulatory pathways for approval of biological products in Brazil [1].

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Canada’s Saskatchewan province introduces biosimilars switching policy

Biosimilars/General | Posted 04/11/2022

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan is the latest to introduce a biosimilars switching policy. As of October 2022, the province joins British Columbia (BC) [1], Quebec [2], Alberta, Ontario [3], New Brunswick [4], Nova Scotia [5], and the Northwest Territories [6] in introducing biosimilars switching policies.

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A Canadian gastro-enterologist’s view on advising on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 28/10/2022

Acting as a ‘trusted advisor’ when answering questions about biological and biosimilar products is important for Canadian physician, Dr Dustin Loomes reported in a recent article.

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Biosimilars of etanercept

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/06/2014

Last update: 20 November 2020 

Etanercept is a biological drug that treats autoimmune diseases by inhibiting tumour necrosis factor (TNF); a soluble inflammatory cytokine. Etanercept is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis.

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Biosimilars approved in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 14/08/2015

Last update: 14 October 2022

In the US, a legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2009, via the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act).